PITTSBURGH — Norfolk Southern and the state of Pennsylvania are finalizing an agreement for up to $170.8 million in infrastructure improvements that will allow a second daily Amtrak train between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, a route currently served by the Pittsburgh-New York Pennsylvanian.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the deal was announced at a Friday press conference including Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, other elected officials, and representatives of the railroad and state Department of Transportation.
The funds will pay for improvements at yards in Pittsburgh, Johnstown, Portage, Altoona, and Harrisburg, creating more space for freight trains to clear the main line for passenger trains to pass. The state will pay for the improvements with money it had been saving to buy new passenger rolling stock, money that has been freed up for use elsewhere because federal infrastructure funding will pay for new Amtrak equipment.
While a state panel had estimated service could start within three years, Friday’s announcement said it could take up to five years to complete the improvements. PennDOT official Jennie Louwerse said the more conservative estimate was to make sure everything in place before service begins.
Work will begin as soon as the state and NS complete an operating agreement covering all details. That should be done by June, Louwerse said.
“NS has had an outstanding partnership with PennDOT over the years, and we hope to be successful adding a second round-trip passenger train between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh,” Mike McClellan, NS senior vice president & chief strategy officer, said in a press release from Wolf’s office. “Many critical issues must be resolved before this new service becomes a reality, including the preservation of our ability to serve present and future freight customers, which translates directly to jobs and economic development opportunities in Pennsylvania.”
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